Climate Change and the Westhampton Lake

Climate Change and the Westhampton Lake Ahnell, Kendel*∞; Nuñez, Yaz∞; Rathlev, Natasha* Environmental Studies* and Geography Major∞ Richmond, Virginia; April 21st 2014 Climate Change and the University of Richmond Introduction and History of the Lake Impacts on the Lake The Westhampton Lake is a cultural monument on campus and one of the University of Richmond's most The Westhampton Lake is at a higher risk to environmental Do Students care about the health of the prominent features. Prospective students have made college decisions based on the lake’s beauty and degradation because of the urban/suburban development within the Lake? alumni look forward to returning to the waterfront to reminisce about their college experience. The significance lake’s drainage basin, diminishing the ecosystem’s resilience to climate of place attachment that members of the Richmond community hold toward the lake imbues great value on the variability. Based off of several studies done on lakes in the North 13% lake as a key geographic element of campus (Devine-Wright, 2013). However, our community suffers from a America, we determined that an increase in CO2 in the atmosphere Yes lack of knowledge around the health and sustainability of this dearly beloved body of water. Over the course of would have negative effects on the Westhampton Lake. For example, 8% the semester, our mission has been to collect and analyze information to educate and advise the student body an increase in CO2 emissions would increase minimum and maximum No and faculty on the health and sustainability of the Westhampton Lake. water temperatures and also increase the length of seasonal summer stratification (Fang and Stefan, 1999). These elevated levels would 79% Undecided cause a change in the migration of planktivores and may also cause surface temperatures to reach lethal levels for both warm and cool water fish. With regards to precipitation, a study done in 2007 found Figure 4: Waterfowl on the Lake in 2011. Source: University of Richmond website, 2011. changes in water quality during storms, snowmelt, periods of elevated Figure 8: The results of a study done in Spring 2014 at the University of Richmond. 272 Figure 1: Two Westhampton students canoeing in the lake. Source: Boatwright Memorial Library Webpage Climate Change air temperatures and/or drought could cause conditions that exceed students were surveyed via electronic methods. Little has been documented on the origins and early uses of the Westhampton Lake. The University came to thresholds of lake ecosystem tolerance and lead to water-quality degradation (Murdoch et al., 2007). purchase the lake in its original bid for what is known as campus today, as part of 290 acres of land. The lake, The climate of Virginia is generally wet and warm with Furthermore, an increase in annual fall precipitation in Virginia would also increase the risk and frequency of previously known as Ben Green's old mill pond, stretched 1326 feet in length, spanned over 14 acres, and mild winters (Repetto, 2012). Over the past century, flooding of the Westhampton Lake, which would likely result in more excessive nutrient loading events. Similar split the property into two distinct parts. The lake's location between the two halves of the property served as a average temperatures have increased, particularly in to the rest of the world, the Westhampton Lake and the University of Richmond campus are not immune to the natural buffer between the men’s college and the women’s college, intrinsically linking it to the coordinate the winter months, where the average has risen 1° C impacts of climate change. A majority of students care about the health of the lake, with 79% of 272 queried colleges' origins at the University (Historical Traditions of the Master Plan). (Repetto, 2012). Precipitation patterns have also responding positively when asked, “Do you care about the health of the Lake?” (Figure 8). The combination of changed, with a decrease of summer rainfall by 0.50 student and alumni interest in the Westhampton Lake and the anticipated increased impacts of anthropogenic Since the founding of the University, the Westhampton Lake has always been a significant aspect of campus mm/day and an increase of fall precipitation by 0.50 climate change in Virginia and in the Westhampton Lake drainage basin indicate the University of Richmond grounds. In May of every year in the 1920s until the 1950s, a “Water Carnival” was held on the lake where mm/day (Repetto, 2012). There have also been an should take action to rectify the health and sustainability of this iconic University feature for future students and students would compete in activities like distance swimming, skiing, and boating. The lake used to freeze over increased frequency, and unpredictability, in intense alumni. in winter, and reports from as early as 1926 note that students took quickly to skating in droves across the precipitation and severe drought. If greenhouse gases surface in January and early February, which can be seen in Figure 3 below (Collegian, 1926). There was also continue to be emitted at the same, or higher, levels as Recommendations a diving pier and boat house on both the Westhampton and Richmond sides of the lake, housed with they are today, average temperatures and amount of 1. Community outreach lifeguards from both colleges (Collegian, May 1926; Collegian, April 1927). precipitation in VA are predicated to continue to rise. In • Create an educational website describing the Lake and the impacts the drainage basin residents have addition, scientists predict that by 2080, Category 4 and on the Lake, particularly with regards to fertilizer and pesticide use and proper disposal of lawn debris. 5 hurricanes are going to be 80% more likely in VA than Figure 5: The James River watershed includes a range of water quality indicators and point pollution sources. The inset shows the area of In 1976 University authorities banned swimming in the Westhampton Lake, yet the lake continued to be a hub the UR campus. Source: http://www.envisionthejames.org/watershed-health/interactive/maps • Encourage elementary, middle and high schools to use the Lake as an educational tool. for light-hearted student revelry. Fraternity brothers reported being thrown into the lake by brothers as a they are today (Repetto, 2012). The Chesapeake Bay • Promote a campus policy, which would implement a dog waste system, including signs and plastic bag chapter tradition in the 1980s (Collegian, 2011). Jumping into the lake was an informal tradition for first-year watershed is currently experiencing climate change related problems that parallel the issues affecting the Westhampton dispensers. students who had underwent Richmond College Investiture night, but was deserted after a student drowned Lake. The largest problem the Chesapeake Bay Watershed currently faces is the loss in riparian buffer zones. A riparian • Install signs that will inform community members to not feed the geese and explain that it is because during the festivities in September 1999 (Collegian, 2011). Three other incidents of deaths in the lake have buffer zone refers to the area between the land and a river or stream that contains a niche habitat and serves as a bio-filter their waste adds phosphorus to the water. been reported in 1922, 1939, and 1969 (Collegian, 2011). Since the most recent incident in 1999, student’s for non-point source pollution. Loss of this biome has been detrimental to the landscape and the health of the James River 2. Create and install a floating wetland island have largely stayed out of the water (Collegian, 2011), although the lake continues to be the signature scenic Watershed, and, therefore, the larger Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Riparian buffer zones act as a filter for fertilizers and • Utilized for lakes across the country, floating wetland islands are both aesthetically pleasing and useful. feature of the University and thus enjoyed by students and the surrounding community (Figure 4). pesticides, and prevent harmful contamination of the river systems. The University of Richmond is located in a decreased They effectively remove excess nutrients from the water, sequester carbon and some heavy metals, riparian buffer zone region (Figure 5). On campus, natural riparian buffer zones have been replaced with parking lots. increase dissolved oxygen levels, help buffer pH, provide aquatic and avian habitat, and offer public These impervious surfaces aid harmful runoff and contribute to the high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus (Figure 6). education opportunities (Stewart et al., 2008). 3. Lake Edge stabilization and Geese Removal • In order to remove the geese from the Westhampton Lake ecosystem and also prevent erosion of the Lake edges, we suggest the University should fund and enact a shoreline restoration project. Thicker geese deterring vegetation, such as pachysandra and periwinkle, planted on the Lakeshore would prevent geese from being able to reach the water, and eventually cause their migration away from campus (NH Lakes, 2010). Furthermore, increased vegetation would create natural stabilization for the lake’s edges, which would eradicate the need for lake dredging each summer, and also prevent erosion caused by increased flooding due to climate change. Figure 2: View of the Lake in the 1930s. Source: Rhodes, Marylou (1938). Acknowledgements Figure 3: University Students ice skating on the Lake in 1963. Source: Landmarks of Richmond: Places to Know and See in the Nation's Most Dementi Studio Webpage, 2012 Historic City. Garrett and Massie. Dr. Peter Smallwood, Dr. David Salisbury, Dr. Todd Lookingbill, Steve Glass, Dr. Eugene Maurakis, Maren Methods Reiner, Regan Gifford, and Andrew Pericak. The best understand the past and promise of the lake, we used a mixed methodology. The social and References geographic history of the Westhampton Lake, was revealed through archival research in The Collegian Boatwright Memorial Library.

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